So...what are we forgetting?

Jay+Marissa

We have a load of late May and June brides coming up--people that have already been married, what did you forget about/put off until the last minute that we should be thinking about?

On my list:

Programs
Seating chart
Sendoff materials
Play and Do Not Play lists for DJ
List of pictures I want for photog
Spray tans, etc.!

fallbride1109

Here were mine:
Swimsuit for honeymoon
Wedding night lingerie
Tips
Day of itinerary for the wedding party
Practice first dance (I also walked around some in my wedding shoes)
Fresh rose petals for cake table and toss

mandasue178

Definitely add the walking in wedding shoes. That's a big one. That's how I made my final decision to change shoes for the reception. I know this is said alot, but plan at least one wedding-free date night with your FI. It really helps get you through the stress of the last month!

juliebug1997

Ditto, Amanda.  Bill and I had one the Sunday before (I think).  Walking around in shoes was the good one.  OOT bags (if you're doing them).  Something else that I enjoyed was we took our parents out to dinner two days before the wedding.  My brother came along too but that's because my FIL really likes him.  It was nice and relaxing.  I actually enjoyed the evening with my ILs. 

Things that I did the day before:
bought perfume
took all decorations to the reception site
picked up getaway car
took guest book with me to the rehearsal--our church coord. kept it for us
checked into hotel

One big thing that I slipped on was that I put my compact and lipstick in a bag and couldn't really get to it when I wanted to touch up later in the evening.  I now wish that I had carried a small purse.  So, if you're not carrying a purse, give it to your MOH before the ceremony and have her keep it in her purse.  Lastly, just remember that, at the end of the day, you'll still be married. People would ask if I remembered everything and I would just say "If we didn't think of it before, then we don't need it now."  I'm a big believer of that.

Terriniski

Ditto the day/date without talking about wedding stuff.  We spent a day at Disneyland with one of the BMs and my sister - it was awesome.

If you're having any family gatherings, set aside some time to help family tidy up and make arrangements at the house (if that's the planned location).  We spent a lot of time cleaning my parents' house, but that's because it was the venue.  But it was also where we had the day-after brunch, so if you're doing something similar plan to help your parents out.

This next suggestion will depend on who's done most of the planning and what your expectations are.  I didn't expect this, but DH passed along our hotel info to my friends and they decorated our hotel room for our wedding night.  It was an awesome surprise.  So if that's something you want/expect (or any other kinds of surprises), make sure Jay knows the details enough in advance to be able to plan for it.

Jay+Marissa

Julie--you were able to check in a day ahead?

Haha, Alana, a decorated hotel room would be nice...but my friends and wedding party aren't that creative and I'm the first wedding of all of them, so they don't know want to do. I barely had a lingerie shower (my sister did most of it). They mostly useless!

mandasue178

Marissa -- in that case make sure the info is leaked to someone else close to you. Even if there's no decorating, you never know what surprises you might get. Two of my bridesmaids put a basket together for us, and dropped it at the hotel the day before. So when we got there we had tons of snacks and drinks. It was a nice surprise, and it meant we had snacks for the plane ride the next day and didn't have to pay the airlines $5 for a candy bar. 

fallbride1109

I had my sister carry a small purse.  I had a compact and lipstick for touch ups.  I ended up just running upstairs to the room once after dinner (and peed all by myself).

I also took my guest book to the RD and I'm glad I did.  Make 3 boxes--ceremony, RD and reception, take your list and fill the boxes, checking it all off as you go before you get ready to load it all up.

Terriniski

You'd be surprised what your friends are capable of - I was!  I was the first to get married out of my friends, didn't really have any showers, etc.  But when we got to the hotel there was confetti and heart cut-outs on the wall, and some snacks and champagne.  It was really sweet!

ChocolateDelight

I found this on ivillage titled Last Minute Checklist:

Day One

Shop for any toiletries that you will need for your honeymoon. Prepare a wedding day personal care/emergency supplies kit

Wedding Day Survival Kit Aspirin or other pain reliever Breath mints Chalk (to hide smudges on dress) Clear nail polish (for runs, etc.) Deodorant Energy bars Extra panty hose Feminine products Handkerchief Honeymoon documents and suitcases Keys Kleenex Lint roller Makeup for touchups Medication (upset stomach, decongestant, etc.) Nail polish for touchups and nail repair glue Safety pins Travel or steam iron

Day Two Now is a good time to get a quick, but important task done. You should prepare payment envelopes for each of the service providers you will need to pay on your wedding day. This checklist will help you keep track of people you may need to pay on the wedding day:

Payment Envelopes Officiant Organist/harpist/musicians Limousine driver (gratuity, if not included in bill) Photographer/Videographer Caterer Reception facility DJ/band Other providers
Entrust these envelopes to someone who will remember to pay all of the necessary people on the wedding day.

Day Three If necessary, pick up your marriage license from the town hall and keep it in a safe place. Arrange for someone to bring it to the rehearsal for the officiant to sign. Wrap favors and pack them into boxes.

Day Four If either of you is moving, fill out change-of-address forms at your post office. If you are changing your last name, wait until after the wedding to change information on your driver's license, insurance, monthly bills, bank accounts, Social Security, etc. Most of these companies will require a copy of your marriage license, which won't likely be available until a few weeks after the wedding.

Day Five Have your manicure and pedicure done. You may not have time for this on the day of your rehearsal or wedding. Pack for your honeymoon. Purchase anything you have forgotten, or go without! This will be your last opportunity to do any shopping. Confirm drop-off times with your florist.

Day Six Arrange for one of your attendants to pick up your dresses and tuxes. Drop off your centerpieces, guest book, and favors at the reception site for the staff to arrange. Drop off your cake topper at the bakery. Your rehearsal: Don't forget the marriage license! This is a chance for you to practice your vows and get used to standing at the altar in front of people. Your officiant will discuss with you how the ceremony will unfold and in what order things will happen. Your rehearsal dinner: This should be a relaxing, fun time for the two of you as you anticipate a day that has been three months in the making! This is also an appropriate time to hand out your bridal party gifts.

Day Seven: The Wedding
Congratulations! Your wedding day has finally arrived. Here are the things that you will need to do before, during, and after your ceremony.

Before the Ceremony Eat breakfast! No matter how nervous you are, you will only feel worse if your stomach is empty as you walk down the aisle. Go to the salon for hair and makeup. Be sure to wear a button-down shirt to avoid ruining your hairstyle. Don't forget your veil, tiara, or any other hair accessories you plan to use. If necessary, be sure that someone is picking up all of the wedding party flowers. Assemble any personal items you will need in your wedding purse, including cash, aspirin, breath mints, antacids, or feminine products. Also, arrange for one of your family members to bring your going- away outfit to the reception. Touch up your nails if necessary. Get into your wedding gown, garter, and shoes. By now, the photographer will have probably arrived and begun to take pictures. When the limousine arrives, take a deep breath. This is it!

During the Ceremony Smile, smile, and smile. It's clinically proven to reserve any stage fright you may be feeling!

After the Ceremony Your photographer will want to take pictures of the newlyweds (you!), the wedding party, and the families. Get into the limousine to go to the reception!

The Reception Your band or D.J. are the choreographers of the event and will announce all of the special dances, cake cutting, bouquet toss, and last dance. Before your last dance, change into your going-away outfit if you have purchased one. Leave for your wedding night or honeymoon.
Bon voyage!

juliebug1997

We all spent the night at the hotel the night before the wedding.  It meant we had a very relaxing peaceful morning of the wedding instead of "Hurry up and get in the car!"  Plus, the make up artist and my hair stylist came to the hotel room.  I didn't have to drive all over kingdom come to get to my different appointments.  I had already given up my apt. and was living in Bill's house.  I couldn't really be there the morning of the wedding and my parents' would have been cramped with all the people and stuff.  It was also nice to be close to the church and reception area. 

Donnaaries

Call your vendors to verify arrival times (so that things get set up in order, linens come before cake, etc).

Have fun!  It goes fast!  One of the moments I enjoyed the most during the reception was DH and I snuck off to do some portraits with the photogs while the guests were dancing (It was hard to separate myself but I really wanted some nighttime shots outside the building and it only took 15 minutes), when we went back to the reception, we took a minute to hide in the hallway and just observe the party (instead of being the center of it), and it was so cool to see your wedding from a guest's perspective, the dancefloor, the lighting, the decor, the love in the room.... as the bride and groom, you feel like you're the ones putting on an act and the center of attention, and those 2 minutes of being of the observer made me really appreciate how everything I had planned came together.

Donnaaries

Oh, and make sure your vendors have someone's contact information other than yours.  No fun chasing after that cell phone in your wedding dress.

emimayor

Give your touch up make up to your dad. Thats what I did. He had it in his jacket pocket. None of my BM's had a purse and I certainly did not. Its another little thing your Dad won't mind doing for you on your wedding day. I think even my FIL held my mints.

Remember this: if something doesn't get done the few days before the wedding, don't fret. At that point, no one will notice. I promise.

Jay+Marissa

Thanks ladies! I'll do my best not to be a raging bitch...

wagnerj3

these are all great suggestions.  Definitely get your honeymoon stuff ready now. I went shopping for some cute sundresses, good sandals for John and a bathing suit for me. It's not something you will want to deal with after (assuming you are going on a honeymoon within the same week).

My weirdness was with the RD.  I didnt' realize that my shoes would give me blisters so I had to run on Friday day to DSW. Thank God for my bridesmaids. One took me shopping and the other ran to CVS later that night to get bandaids and such. Make sure your RD shoes are comfy or they will ruin your wedding day!